Fluidized fixed bed process and apparatus



Aug. 28, 1956 J. v. WARD ELUIDIZED FIXED BED PROCESS AND APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed March 5, 1952 EFIG. 1.

Y INVEN TOR.

FICS.

JoN xr. WARD HIS ATTORNEY Aug. 28, 1956 J. v. WARD FLUIDIZED FIXED BED PROCESS AND APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 5, 1952I INVENTOR. JOHN v. WARD BY ,4 7n

H15 )ATTORNEY FLUIDIZED FIXED BED PROCESS AND APPARATUS John V. Ward, Plum Township, Allegheny County, Pa., assignor to Gulf Research & Development Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Delaware Application March 3, 1952, Seal No. 274,573

Claims. (Cl. 23-1) This invention relates to an improved iluidized xed -bed catalytic process and apparatus for conversion of hydrocarbon oils, whereby improved contact of catalyst.

and reactant is obtained.

Fluidized catalytic processes are well known. Such processes involve the passage of a iluidizing vapor or gas, which may or may not be a reactant, upwardly through a bed of nely divided catalyst particles at a rate suiftcient to expand the bed by the gas lift action of the fluidizing vapors on the catalyst particles. The expanded bed of catalyst acts in many respects as a liquid, e. g., as `to ow characteristics, appearance, the exertion of a hydrostatic or iluistatic pressure, hence the name iluidized catalytic process.

The more prevalent of these fluidized catalytic processes are of the moving I'bed type, i. e., those in which there is continuous, cyclic ow of catalyst into and out i of the reaction zone, usually to and from a regeneration f during the entire on-stream period, there being nofow .uf

of catalyst into :and out of the reactor during the processing phase.

The amount of catalyst circulation within the reactor for a given rate of feed introduction may be substantially less in iluidized fixed bed operations than in a uidized moving bed operation. fact ythat the circulation of catalyst particles is normally dependent entirely upon the action of :the vapor or gas introduced into the bed and is not aided by flow of catalyst into and out of the reaction zone. For this reason, contact between reactant and catalyst in a fluidized tixed catalyst bed is often not as thorough as might be desired.

The diiculty of obtaining thorough reactant-catalyst contactin a iluidized xed catalyst bed may be aggra-v vated when low vapor velocities are employed. Low linear vapor velocities may be desirablev for various reasons, e. g., to provide-a long contact Atime, or for,

economic reasons. An example of the latter is found in reactions carried out at relatively high pressures. Where the pressure utilized is of significant magnitude, ,the

This will be evident from the amount of gas required to produce linear velocities of a degree comparable to those usually employed in conventional fluidized catalytic operations is large because of the compression factor. In hydrocracking, for example, lor reforming in the presence of hydrogen, wherein hydrogen and a hydrocarbon oil feed are catalytically converted at pressures often above 500 p. s. i. g. or more, gas recycle rates necessary to produce the normally desired high linear vapor velocities would be enormous. The additional facilities necessary to accommodate these enormous volumes of gas, e. g., largercompressors, the expense of concentrating recycled hydrogen to the necessary purity in such large quantities, etc.,l would be expected to render thisy type of operation economically undesirable.

Thus, Vthe rate of catalyst circulation is inherently less in iluidized lixed bed operations than in a iluidized moving bed operation. This rate of circulation may Ibe still less when low linear vapor velocities are employed. In addi# tion to these factors, the already low rate ofcatalyst circulation may be even less at the bottom of the reaction lzone'near the rnon-vertical reactor walls (where it iscustomary to introduce thefeed), because the incoming 'gas stream may not be distributed Well enough along these non-Vertical surfaces. In other words, the incoming gas strearnmay not fan out suiiciently in the vicinity of the inlet to circulate thoroughly the catalyst particles in the relatively unswept zones near the non-vertical surfaces f of the reactor bottom.

reactor. l

It is an object ofy this invention to provide a process` in which catalyst-feed contact may be improved in a uid' ized xed catalyst bed, wherein a low linear vapor velocity is utilized. A- further object is toincrease the ldegree of i conversion thereby. An additional object is to provide a process of the type vdescribed which will permit an improved catalyst flow pattern. Itis a' further object to provide a process of the type described in which random in'-V l termixing and interacting of products is avoided. A more particular object is .to provide a process which will accomplish these results and which at 4the same time will permit close temperature control in the reaction zone. AnotherY object is to'provide a process of the type described in which the catalyst-feed contact is further improved by introducing a portion of the feed in a region of'relativ'ely higher catalyst turbulence. A more detailed object is to still further improve catalyst feed contact in a process ofl the type described by artificially increasing ythe local linear".

velocity and catalyst lturbulence in the region where this portion of the feed isiutro'duced. A still further object is to provide suitable apparatus for carrying out the process.V

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

These and other objects are accomplished bymy'inyen-y V` tion which relates to a process in which a reactant is`co`ntacted with catalyst at conversion conditions of 'temperature and pressure in area'ction zone containing'a dense phase, iluidized fixed bed of catalyst, and wherein the linear vapor velocity is relatively' low, e. g., less than about 0.3 foot per second. The reaction zone mentioned above is subdivided at least through the greater portion of its deptlrintol a plurality of parallel, substantially co-A' extensiva, vertical zones of reduced cross-section, each of y said subdivided zo-nes having a high length to effective diameter ratio.l 'Reactant is introducedjequallyinto each" subdivided zone and contacted with the catalyst therein.

Treated products are withdrawn from the reactionzone, but substantially all of the catalyst is retained therein during the ori-stream period. Although passage of reactant through the subdivided reaction zone is continued for theV duration ofthe on-strearn period, the same catalyst par reactant containing diicultly volatilizable constituents,

the invention includes the steps of introducing the gaseous V or vaporous material at the bottom of the reaction zone `and introducing the reactant containing difcultly volatilizable constituents higher in the reaction zone. One form Patented Aug. 28, 1956 v of the'l last described modication provides for increasing. the local linear. vapor velocitiesintheregion. in which the liquid reactant is introduced. The invention also includes suitable apparatus for carrying out the process.

Whilexcertain-.preerred' forms of` the invention have' been set'l forthairrtlre: accompanying. descriptiony and-"the:l

drawings, it isatoabe: .understood thaty tliey'arerbyway of illustrationonly andra-re. not: to be considered as: limiting.

Referringbrietly toithe attached. drawings, aFigures l, 3 andxS- represent .partially sectional. views; of.` uidized xed bedtreactorstwhiclriernbody the principles of my in-A vention. Figures 2,.'4 andt6 represent; respectively sec tions Iof.;li`igures 1', 3 .andai` along respective linesi 21a-2,

4-4,.:and 6%6.: vFigure .7' is a .more detaile.d;..although fragmentary, representation-ot ,ai manifoldand tubular.

heat exchange; device..which may: beemployedtin the.l ap.`

paratus shown irrFiguresfii, 4,.5 andfl.; The drawings are z schematiconlcertain; details-barring bee-nomittedx.

ever, theserdetails maybe readilysupplied'by'thosezskilledx in ,the artt. v Inwt'hevariousl guresrplike. numerals. refer to thefsamef, elem-ents;`

As stated previously, difficulty may berexperiencedrin obtaining-,good catalystfeed contact ,in iluidizedixed'cataf lyst. beds.. .whereinl'ow linear vaporvelocities are; utilized..v 'Ihisiditiiculty is-.believed to bef at least in partidue; totheV poor catalyst flow patterns which may be producedby the.noun-nitomnityL and poor rate of..catalystcirculation The. catalyst :flow `pattern .desired ina fluidized tixedbed operationisonein which there is asmooth flow ofcatalyst up:y thercenter. andy d-ownthe sides ofthe reactor.

Whenthis type of. flow exis-ts, the feed first contacts.

catalyst near` the reactor inlet, whereby thev catalyst be.` comes. more-or 1ess.;loaded with reaetant. timum. conditions, this rnoreor less loadedy catalyst thenV moves away from the reactor inlet in its normal pattern of flow.: Removal `of catalyst containing. adsorbed reactantfrom the inlet permits a new portionoi:` catalyst,.

containing little or noreactant, to take its place and to.

Under op.-A

adsorb the next portion of reactant introduced into the.'-

bed.: Duringthe normal travel cycle of the catalyst, -reactant is. reacted. od the catalyst toy form'V volatile prod-.

ucts, which. products are removed from the reactor. The.

type of'catalyst. flow described permits each. particle of catalystto contactreactant. for. about the same length. ofv time and to. absorb about the same quantity `of reactant.

In. aprocesstwhere, for example,1 liquid droplets of oil are. sprayed ontothe catalyst and are. convertedy to vaporized products and coke,.a poor catalyst tlow pattern. may

activation ot catalyst,4 catalyst. agglomeration may occur due, to over-application lof feed to some of the catalyst particles,vwith .the result. that the agglomerates dropout. of theuidized mass, and. finally, the reaction may proceed'l in an unfavorable. direction due to the plugging of.

the catalyst pores. by the feed. The agglomerates mentioned above may further interfere with proper uidization.

I have observed that the amountfof vertical, Wall sur-1. `face presentinfthereaction zone greatly affects tthe catalyst flow patterns, where low linear vapor velocities are utilized- .When thevertical. wall surface is relatively large as. compared-with. the. eective diameter off the reaction.z,onethe catalyst flow pattern is greatly improved.

The relationship ofthe vertical Wall surface to the etl'ective diameterof. the reaction zone may conveniently be. exf.

4; of the Zone and D=the eiective diameter, or the diarneter.` of. a. circle. having. .anarea the. Sameasthe herb.. zontal area of the zone.

A high L/D ratio may be produced in the reaction zone of a uidized catalytic reactor of commercial form and Isize by vertically subdividing the reaction zone into a plurality of relatively long', narrow, substantially coextensive, parallel paths. A plurality tif-intersecting or substantially intersecting,` vertical partitioning walls may be used for this purpose.

The'. partitioning or subdividingy of" the reactionr zone tof-y increasefthe- L/D- raft-io in' a fluidizedfixed bed catalytic conversion utilizi'ngfal low linear velocity is lthe essence of the present inventionfin;itsg` simplest form. Advantageously, the subdividing partitions may comprise tubular linned heat exchangers ofv conventionaly type, ythe tins of adjacent heat exchangers being arranged to provide the partitioning effect. These heat exch-angers may be employedl"y either tot addl orfrernovey heat' from the'reaction zone: Also', virtuesofn'their uniformlydispersedlar= rangement, close control'otfreactionr temperature through-V out the reaction zone is permitted.

I-n-l amore complex modification, wherein r4a -reactant containing diiculitly' volatiliz-able constituents; such-fas a -f hydrocarbon oil', and at gaseous material arefconta'otfedi-in a fluidizedxedf catalytic bedat low linea-r vapor veloci ties; an-improvement is-` effected" by int-roducingtl're gaseous:

materiali near-the bottom offthe reactionl zone, while the liquid-containing; reactant is introduced higher in 'fthe'f catalyst 'bedr where the rat-et-of catalystcirculation is greater. Whenl 'theliquidf-eontaining reactant isvintro duced in -a region of greater catalystmotion,l catalyst-'- liquid 'contactis improved, since' a given. quantityY ot? liquid is spread'over-a relatively lar-gen amount of. catalyst.l

While improved catalyst-feed'l contactis always desirable,

it is particularly important where a portion ofthe charge remains temporarily vin the liquid phase at reaction condi-v tions.M Sucliaa condition` mayl exis-t, for examplein'the "treatmentv ofrhydrocarbonroils, where .a heavy, vdilli'cul-tl'y volati'lizablefeedof low API gravity is employedg and/or' where pressures above thecritical pressure of- 'a' portion`- of' the feed are employed By' d-itcultly volatili'zable feed' is meant'one-iur which a portion cannot bevolatilized atI reaction temperature without"decomposition;

Brione forrrr of the last describedl modification the'- gaseous'reactant i's introduced' attireI base ofthe reactor,

while" theu liquid-containing reactant, 'preferably inrad'mix- `ture with a gaseous diluent, is passed through finnedL heatl Y exch-angersipositioned within the reaction zonelandis sub- 'sequently'N introduced 'into a` 'regionl of' the reaction yzone*- substanti'a'lly'Y ab-ove'it'he `gas inlet; The iinnedfheat ex"- chan'gers'through which the liquid inletI line passes may be those described'. above which effect the partitioning oli the reactor, or. alternatively, they may be separately posi"- tioned Within each of the subdivided zones in -t-he reactor. Bypassingtlre oil feed interiorlyfof the heat exchanger,

preheatin'gof kthe feed without4 overheating is accom plished; Furthermore, when separateV combination -he-at exchange `andlfeedA injection devices' are employed in each presence of these* devices'.

l-ocalflinear; velocities andi catalyst turbulence in the region near the inlet.

The inventionrnay bev more; easily understoodwitl'r reference to certain specific modifications shown in the- I Referring now to. Figure l in detail, numerall .2 retereto the, reactor shell nurneralf illustrates the pressed 'asthe L/D ratio, .Where L=the verticaliv heghtqz upperV lejvjel of the, dense phase,l uidized fixed" catalystdrawings.

A-s pointed out above, this results-in spreadingy the feed`fovera 'relatively largerl 'amount' otl catalyst; immediately upon introduction into 'the-'reactions "zone,

bed. lThe subdividing par-titioning walls referredto previl ously are -shown by the structure identified by numeral 6.

NumeralsS and 10 refer respectively to the feed inlet line and the distributor. Numeral-s 12 refer to la'plurality of substantially cone-shaped members through which the feed is introduced into the subdivided reaction zones bounded by partitioning elements 6. Preferably the cones are faired at the upper ends to conform with the peripheries ofthe sections of `the reaction zone. Numeral 14 denotes a cyclone separator positioned in the upper por-tion of reactor 2. This separator in conjunction with cert-ain normally closed valves in the catalyst replacement means (not shown) constitute means for retaining substantially all of the catalyst within the reactor throughoutthe onstream period, and is that means which enables the carrying out of a fluidized fixed bed process. n

'For convenience, the operation of the various structures shown in the drawings will be described in connecl tion with a preferred reaction, namely, hydrocracking lor destructive hydrogenation'of a hydrocarbon oil. -In operation, a feed stream comprising hydrogen and hydro carbon oil, preheated and compressed to the desired temiv Brief reference to Figure 2 will indicate 'the disposition of the partitioning members 6 within the reactor.

Within each of the long, narrow zones improved catalyst-feed contact and more uniform circulation of catalyst froml top to bottom of the reaction zones are produced. An additional advantage of the partitions referred to is: that they prevent random intermixing and interacting of the products formed in the various regions of the reactor.

The quality of the products is thereby improved. l

The treated reactants pass out of these parallel vertical zones, out of the dense phase catalyst bed 4 and into cyclone separator 14. The bulk of the entrained catalystis removed from the vapors and returned to the main body of catalyst by way of standpipe 16. Product vapors, substantially free of catalyst, are withdrawn through line 1S to conventional product recovery equipment (not shown) for fractionationand, if desired, further refining. Pressure is maintained in the reactor by use of a suitable pressure control valve (not shown) placed down-stream from the reactor.

It may be mentioned that the small, partial compartments positioned around the periphery of the reaction vessel, are preferably not utilized. These partial compartments may be filled with insulating material or otherwise closed as indicated in the drawing. This is preferred in order to produce the optimum L/ D ratio throughout the reaction zone. i

In the apparatus shown in Figure 3 the reaction zone is divided into four compartments having a high length to diameter ratio by radially disposed partitioning walls 22.

Reference to Figure 4 will indicate more clearly the disposition of these dividing members 22. In this modification the` partitioning walls are extended to the bottom of the reactor 2t) and feed is introduced separately int-o -each vertical compartment. In Figure 3 the feed lines are indicated by numerals 26, 28, 30 and 32, while in Figure 4 additional lines 56, S8, 60 and 62 are shown. In this modification the feed, comprising hydrogen and oil, enters the dense phase, fiuidized fixed bed at low linear vapor velocity through the previously described inlets,

As in the previous modification the hydrogen and oil pass upwardly through the elongated subdivided zones bounded by-partitioning walls 22 and reactor shell 20 with the production of similar-results. Converted products Apass out of the densephase catalyst bed 24 through cyclone separator into outlet line 35. Catalyst removed from the product vapors within cyclone separator 34 is returned to the main body of catalyst through standpipe 38.

Alternatively, the operation of the reactor shown in.'

Figure 3 as well as that of the other reactors illustrated in the'various drawings may be modified by employing combined heat exchange and oil injection structures of the type designated by numerals 40 and 42. These elements are positioned substantially centrally of each of the elongated compartments in such a manner that the hydrocarbon oil inlet conduit passing therethrough will discharge adjacent the heat exchanger in a region relatively high in the catalyst bed. Reference to Figure 4 will indicate more clearly the positioning of elements 40 and 42 and similar elements 52 and 54.

When these exchangers are employed, hydrogen alone is introduced through the inlet lines at the base of the reactor, while preheated hydrocarbon oil, preferably in admixture with gaseous hydrogen, is introduced into the reactor by way of line 44. Vrl`his portion of the feed passes through heat exchanger 46 and is discharged into the catalyst bed at outlet 46. A heat exchanging medium, such as water or steam, may be circulated into line 48and out through line Sil -or in the reverse direction.

Elements 42, 52 and 54 operate similarly. The combiv nationheat exchange-oil injection structures shown e'ect .controlled heating of the oil within the inlet conduit to prevent overheating and coking While at the same time providing a convenient means for effecting heat exchange within the subdivided reaction zones.

While the hydrogen-hydrocarbon oil feed may be in- .troduced separately into each of the heat exchangers, as

, of heat exchangers are employed.

Since outlet 46 is placed relatively high in the catalyst bed and adjacent the heat exchanger, the hydrocarbon oil is introduced in a zone of greater catalyst turbulence than that present in the lower portion of the reactor. Furtherm-ore, by virtue of the fact that these heat exchangers occupy space, they produce a constricting effect within each of the elongated, subdivided Zones thereby increasing the local linear velocities. In this manner, the rate of catalyst circulation in the zone yof oil introduction is further improved over the average degree of turbulence within the subdivided zones. Improved distribution of the oil in the bed of catalyst is the net result of the improved catalyst circulation.

, Referring now to Figure 5 a further modification of the invention is shown. In this modification the recation zone is subdivided into a plurality of parallel zones of high L/D ratio by means of tubular, finned heat exchangers 72. These heat exchangers are of conventional reverse flow type employing an outer tube and a smaller, centrally positioned, concentric tube of shorter length. For simplicity of illustration the manifolding means 81 employed for the heat exchangers of Figure 5 has been shown partly broken away. Reference to Figure 6 indicates that adjacent fins of adjacent heat exchangersare arranged to lie in'substantially the same plane. By virtue of this expedient the fins of the heat exchangers provide the par-- titioning effect desired. In the modification shown, wherein heat exchangers having three fins are employed,` the reaction zone is divided into a plurality of elongated,

parallel zones of substantiallyhexagonal shape, where-I partitioning means additionally permits veryclose tem--- perature control during the reaction.

Again referring to Figure 5,"feed whichinthis instance may comprise :preheatedhydrogen is 'introduced' through inlet'line.78,positioned.at the base ofthe reactor. From this'line thehydrogen' passes throughporous distributor p=late"7.8, or other ele-ment havinga similar-function, into the compartments bounded by heat exchangers "72 and reactor shell'70. The porous plate operates to distribute the hydrogen equally into all of the sections of the reaction zone. The hydrocarbon oil enters the system throughline74 from which it passes -into a distrilmtorl 75 'havingfindivi-dual outlets,projectingxupwardly to or into 'the separate portions of the reaction zone bounded bythens of heat exchangers 72.

As in the modifications described above, converted products pass out ofthe :dense phase catalyst bed 79 and.

into cyclone separator 80. Catalyst separated'from the product vapors is returned tothemainbodyof catalyst through standpipe 84, `while treated products are withdrawn through line V82.

The .operation of the..dev'ice shown in'Figure `5 may be further modied'by employing a structure of the type illustrated 'in Figure 7 in place of `heat exchangers 172. The heat exchanger of 'Figure '7.is also of the type satisfactory for use as elements '40, 42, 52 .and 54 in reactor -of Figure 3. di'ers over those illustrated in Figure .5 in .that a vfeed conduit 94 passes interionly thereof. .InFigure 7, numeral90 refers to the over-all heat exchanger structure and numeral 9;2 refers to theiins thereof. Numeralsf98 .and 100 refer respectively to vthe introductory and withdrawal means for the circulatingheat exchangemedium. lNumeral'96`denotes the outlet of'feed line 9.4. .Numeral 102 designates a portion .of a suggested manifolding device.

VWhen 'heat exchanger tubes .of the .typeillustrated in Figure 7 are employedas the .partitioning means. in the reactor of .Figure 5, lines 74and distributor 75y are omitted. ln .this instance,. a hydrocarbon oiLpreferably in admixture with hydrogen is passed interiorly of the heat exchange device through line .9.4 from which .it is discharged into the nidized fixed catalyst bed Aby way ofoutlet 96. Suicient heat exchangers ofthe typeshcwn are provided in order that each subdivided 4portion of the reaction zone, may have at least one oil inlet. A heat exchange medium such as, for example, water. or steam, is passed through line `9% which jackets oilinlet .line,94. Upon reaching the end of line 98 the .heat exchange medium .passes upwardly through line99tooutlet1100. Alternatively the heaty exchange medium.rnayfflowin` the reverse direction. Use `.of `.the deviceof Figure 7 permits close heat control withinthe recation zone .andv providescontrolled .preheating of .theieedfbythe-.heat ofthe reaction zone prior to contact of the feed with catalyst.

Ashasbcen indicated the most,fundainentalfimprovef ment brought ,about by the invention .fis the .improved catalyst .flow pattern produced in ,a .iluidizedfixed bed catalytic. reactor, wherein low gas velocitiesY are employed in the reaction zone. This improvement isfeffected by subdivision of the reaction zone as indicated. The. important. efect produced by thissubdivision istduelto-the increase in length to effective .diameter or L/.D ratiovexisting within the .zone inwhich .catalyticconversion Ais effected. The. L/D ratio.v normallypresent in they react-ion zone of a iluidized catalytic reactor of commencial .size varies between about ,1:1 .and 3:1. .Substantiallyhigher ratiosare contemplatedin the present invention e. g., ratios. ranging from about 6:,1 to 15:1.

.The number and arrangementof partitions are advantageously chosen to provide an area in each subdivided reaction zoneof .between aboutone-half and -about 20 square feet in combination with an L/D ratio .within the range described. Preferably, vthe areaofeachsuhdivided reactionzone is from.. about '0.8 to about 7 square feet, withan L/D ratio'from about '6`l`toabout` l`5z' l.`

'The cross-'sectional'shape ofthe subdivided reaction zones may-bevaried'somewhatbut'is preferably `as near The heatexc'hanger .of .Figure 7r 'oxidizinggasea may"be^jpassed'through the catalystbe'd within the reactor. InV the structures shown in .thedraw ings regeneration may 'be accomplished by introducing the-regeneratingor.'reactivating gasinto the catalystbe'd by'wayofthejfeedlinlets. Since the details of catalyst regeneration 'form no part ofthe. invention, and since they are well known in theart, they need not `be discussedin detail. "However, it should be noted that temperature control, :aserious'problem during the exothermic reactivation treatment, is'aidedgreatly by the presenceo'f the heat' exchanging devices in the' reactor.

vWherethe partitioning walls extend entirely tothe bottom `of'thereactor, it is ofcourse necessary to introduce feed separately 'into each subdivided zone. Where the partitioning wallsdo not extend completely tothe bottom ofthe 'catalyst"be'd, it'is advantageous to provide means for `subdivding and introducing feed equally into each long, 'narrowzone 'In'Fgure 5 for example distributor 75-and porous plate 78` perform this function. If these or'equivalent elements are omitted and the feed is introducedovera relatively small area beneath the partitioning wallsthe effect ofy the partitioning walls may be lost. 4In such instances, the upward flow of feed may concentrate itself'in `one or afew of the long narrow zones.

The A.partitioning walls discussed above should extend all" the way to .or substantially tothe bottom of the catalysttbeLd, but may or may. not extend to or abovethe top of.' the catalyst' bed. 'In all instances, however, the partitions should extend through the greatest portion vof the bed, 'and opportunity .should .be .providedfor migration of catalyst todifferent regions .of the reactor, so that thedepth of the catalyst bed remains substantialy equalacross the reactor. "Ihus, when .the individual-small reaction zones .are.in.contact, as whenpartitioningheat exchangers having non-.contiguous hns. are employed, thepartitions may extendtoor above Nthe, top .ofthe bed. When .the individual -zones .are -sealed off .from .each other as in Figure .3..the.partitions should stop short ofthe top of thecatalystbed. Thepartitions shouldextendto orsubstantially tothehottomof the catalyst bed to insure equaly carbonoilswhich .are'carried out in the presence .of aseparate, .normally :gaseous f or vaporous diluent or .re-

actant. .Examplesof such; processes are hydrocracking or destructive-hydrogenation and.- reforming inthe presence of hydrogen. The invention is also useful for hydrocarbon .synthesis processes.

The 1ow.linear vaporvelocities referred to arethose whichgproduce a. degree of .turbulence orl catalyst lcirculation .substantially -less= than .that normally encountered .in iluidzed catalytic operation. These 4particular'lvelocitiesmaylvary accordingA tothefparticularsize anddensity of thefcatalystzemployed. In4 general, the low linear vapor velocitiesffor which any invention ismost useful are those supercil rvelocities'ofvabout 0.3 foot per second Yor less:

and particularlyfthose between about'0.05 and `0.2'f0ot pery second.

'Ihesellowflinear velocities are mostoftenemployedin catalytic conversionscarriedout at substantially elevated pressure, .,e. vg., several hundred pounds .or much more,

Accordingly, `the. in

vention is particularly valuable in connection with such operations. k

The catalyst employed may be supported or unsupported and are those normally employed for the particular reaction involved. The particle sizes contemplated arer those usually made use of in fluidized catalytic operations, i. e., between about 50 and 400 mesh.

Charge stocks employed may comprise any feed normally employed in the particular reaction being carried out. Since certain modifications of the invention enable the charge to be introduced in regions of greater catalyst circulation, the invention has particular utility in processes involving a diiiicultly volatilizable hydrocarbon oil feed, wherein a portion of the feed is in the liquid phase at reaction conditions. This is as discussed above, because the liquid portion of the charge may wet the catalyst particles and cause clumping or agglomeration when contacted with too small a quantity of catalyst. Examples of ditiicultly volatilizable feeds are topped or reduced crude or total crudes containing heavy, residual components.

Conversion conditions not otherwise discussed, e. g., temperature, etc., contemplated in the invention are those conventionally employed in the art for the particular reaction to be carried out. These form no part of the invention and need not be discussed in detail.

One advantage of the invention is that improved catalyst-feed contact is produced, thus providing a higher degree of conversion. An additional advantage of the invention resides in avoiding catalyst agglomeration and other diiiiculties which may be encountered when using ditlicultly volatilizable hydrocarbon oil feeds. Another advantage produced by the invention is that random intermixing and interacting of products is avoided. Another advantage is that a convenient means of eiecting heat exchange within the reaction zone and also preheating feed without overheating is provided while at the same time producing the advantages pointed out above.

What I claim as my invention is:

l. A catalytic conversion process comprising contacting a non-carbonizable gaseous reactant and a second reactant which contains carbonizable, diiiicultly vaporizable constituents that remain at least temporarily in the liquid phase at conversion conditions, with catalyts at conditions of temperature and pressure that are adapted to promote inter-reaction of said reactants, said contacting being carried out in a reaction zone containing a dense-phase uidized fixed bed of catalyst, wherein the linear vapor velocity is not more than about 0.3 feet per second, said reaction zone being subdivided at least through the greater portion of its depth into a plurality of adjacent, parallel, substantially coextensive, vertical zones, each of which subdivided zones has a length to effective diameter ratio of from about 6:1 to about 15:1 and a cross-sectional area between about 0.5 and about 2O square feet, in each of which subdivided zones the catalyst particles circulate cyclically between the upper and lower extremities of the dense-phase catalyst bed, said contacting being effected by introducing the non-carbonizable gaseous reactant in equal amounts into the bottom of each of the subdivided zones where catalyst circulation is relatively low, and by passing said second reactant in equal amounts downwardly in elongated confined paths within the densephase catalyst in the subdivided zones while maintaining said second reactant out of contact with the catalyst, thereby forming constricted regions beside said confined paths in said subdivided zones, in which constricted regions the catalyst circulation and vapor velocity are greater than elsewhere in the subdivided zones, and passing said second reactant from said elongated confined paths into said constricted regions at substantially elevated levels in said subdivided zones, the initial contact of said non-carbonizable gaseous reactant, catalyst and said second reactant being eiected in said constricted regions, effecting a reaction between said reactants, Withdrawing converted products and continuing .to contactY additional quantities of reactants with the same catalyst particles without substantial intervening regeneration of the latter until the end of a processing period.

2. lThe process of claim 1 in which said second4 `re-4 actant is preheated Ybefore contact with catalyst and during passage through said elongated confined paths without substantial carbonization thereof by indirect heat exchange with a circulating heat `exchange medium that' is in turn heated by indirect heat exchange with the materials in the zones surrounding said elongated confineda plurality of adjacent, parallel, substantially coextensive compartments, each of said compartments having a length to effective diameter ratio of between about 61:1 and about 15:1 and a cross-sectional area of between about 0.5 and about 20 square feet, means forv introducing charge stock at low linear velocity equally into said compartments, said means for introducing charge stock comprising means for introducing gaseous materials at the bottom of each of said compartments, and reactant conduits connected at their upper ends to a source of reactant, said reactant conduits being positioned within said reaction vessel and extending downwardly into the densephase bed of catalyst, each reactant conduit being adapted to discharge reactant into a region laterally adjacent itself and substantially above the bottoms of said compartments, a first jacket member coaxial with, spaced apart from and surrounding each of said reactant conduits, said iirst jacket member communicating at one end with the interior of a second jacket member, coaxial with, spaced apart from and surrounding said first jacket member, said first and said second jacket members being adapted to conduct a flow of a heat exchange medium, means for withdrawing converted products from the reaction vessel and means for retaining substantially all of the catalyst within the reaction vessel during a processing period.

4. Catalytic apparatus comprising a reaction vessel adapted to contain a dense-phase, iiuidized ixed bed of catalyst in the lower portion thereof, vertical partitioning means positioned within the reaction vessel and adapted to subdivide the reaction vessel through at least the greater portion of the depth of the catalyst bed into a plurality of adjacent, parallel, substantially coextensive compartments, each of said compartments having a length t0 effective diameter ratio of between about 6:1 and about 15:1 and a cross-sectional area of between about 0.5 and about 2O square feet, means for introducing charge stock at low linear velocity equally into said compartments, said means for introducing charge stock comprising means for introducing gaseous materials at the bottom of each of said compartments, and a tubular heat exchange device positioned substantially centrally within each of said compartments and in only the upper portion thereof, said tubular heat exchange device comprising a pair of outer and inner, coaxial, spaced-apart jacket members adapted to communicate with one another and to conduct a iiow of a heat exchange medium, said inner jacket member being coaxial with, spaced apart from and surrounding a reactant conduit positioned interiorly of each heat exchange device, said reactant conduit being adapted to discharge reactant into the surrounding compartment in a region beside said tubular heat exchange device, means for withdrawing converted products from the reaction vessel and means for retaining substantially all of the catalyst within the reaction vessel during a processing period.

5. A catalytic apparatus comprising a reaction vessel adapted to contain a dense-phase uidized fixed bed of catalyst in the lower-,portionY thereof, vertical partitioning means"positionedA WithinV the reaction vessel, 'comprising elongated-nned heat exchangers arranged's'o thatadjacent1-heatexchangers'lie in the'same plane,; said vertical partitioning means beingadaptedto subdivide thereaction vessell through .at least the lgreaterlportion 'o'f the depth of the cata1yst.be'd`into a plurality o'f adjacent, parllelsubstantially. coextensive compartments, each 'of said compartments'having a length to effective diameter ratio of"'betw,een about 6:'1 and about `1`5 :1 and a crosssectional area of between about 0,'5 andy about 20 square feet, means for introducing charge stock at lowlinear velocity equally into said compartments, said means for introducing .charge stock comprising means 'for introducing'lgaseous materials .at the bottom of each of said compartments, and Vreactant .conduits connected at their upper ends to'asource of reactant, saidreactant conduits being positioned Within said reaction vessel and extending downwardly'into the dense-phase bed of catalyst, each reactant conduit beingadapte'd to' discharge reactant into a region'` laterally adjacent itself and substantially above the' bottoms ofsaid compartments, a first jacket member coaxial with, spaced apart from and surrounding each of said' reactant conduits,l said rst jacket member communicating at one end with the interior of a second jacket products'ifrom the reaction vessel and meansfor retaining-'sbstantiallyall of Vthe catalyst `within the reaction vessel during a processing period.

"Relerencesitedr inthe le of this patent UNITED STATES 'PATENTS `2,185,928 Simpson-et al. Ian. 2, 1'940 l2,283,208 /Houdrfy etal "May 19, 1942 2,310,962 -Lassiat Feb. ,16, .1943 2,359,310 `Hemminger Oct.,3, 1944 2,378,342 Voorhees etal. June .12, .1945 2,419,245 Arveson Apr. V22, v1-947 2,420,145 McAfee Maj/:6, 1947` 2,464,812 `lfohnson Mar. l22,1949 2,500,516 Carpenter Mar. 1-4, 1950 2,546,570 Vance Mar. 27,1951 2,584,391 Lefer Feb. 2, y1-952 2,617,708 Peery Nov. 11,1952 

1. A CATALYTIC CONVERSION PROCESS COMPRISING CONTACTING A NON-CARBONIZABLE GASEOUS REACTANT AND A SECOND REACTANT WHICH CONTAINS CARBONIZABLE, DIFFICULTY VAPORIZABLE CONSTITUENTS THAT REMAIN AT LEAST TEMPORARILY IN THE LIQUID PHASE AT CONVERSION CONDITIONS, WITH CATALYST AT CONDITIONS OF TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE THAT ARE ADAPTED TO PROMOTE INTER-REACTION OF SAID REACTANTS, SAID CONTACTING BEING CARRIED OUT IN A REACTION ZONE CONTAINING A DENSE-PHASE FLUIDIZED FIXED BED OF CATALYST, WHEREIN THE LINEAR VAPOR VELOCITY IS NOT MORE THAN ABOUT 0.3 FEET PER SECOND, SAID REACTION ZONE BEING SUBDIVIDED AT LEAST THROUGH THE GREATER PORTION OF ITS DEPTH INTO A PLURALITY OF ADJACENT, PARALLEL, SUBSTANTIALLY COEXTENSIVE, VERTICAL ZONES, EACH OF WHICH SUBDIVIDED ZONES HAS A LENGTH TO EFFECTIVE DIAMETER RATIO OF FROM ABOUT 6:1 TO ABOUT 15:1 AND A CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA BETWEEN ABOUT 0.5 AND ABOUT 20 SQUARE FEET, IN EACH OF WHICH SUBDIVIDED ZONES THE CATALYST PARTICLES CIRCULATE CYCLICALLY BETWEEN THE UPPER AND LOWER EXTREMITIES OF THE DENSE-PHASE CATALYST BED, SAID CONTACTING BEING EFFECTED BY INTRODUCING THE NON-CARBONIZABLE GASEOUS REACTANT IN EQUAL AMOUNTS INTO THE BOTTOM OF EACH OF THE SUBDIVIDED ZONES WHERE CATALYST CIRCULATION IS RELATIVELY LOW, AND BY PASSING SAID SECOND REACTANT IN EQUAL AMOUNTS DOWNWARDLY IN ELONGATED CONFINED PATHS WITHIN THE DENSEPHASE CATALYST IN THE SUBDIVIDED ZONES WHILE MAINTAINING SAID SECOND REACTANT OUT OF CONTACT WITH THE CATALYST, THEREBY FORMING CONSTRICTED REGIONS BESIDE SAID CONFINED PATHS IN SAID SUBDIVIDED ZONES, IN WHICH CONSTRICTED REGIONS THE CATALYST CIRCULATION AND VAPOR VELOCITY ARE GREATER THAN ELSEWHERE IN THE SUBDIVIDED ZONES, AND PASSING SAID SECOND REACTANT FROM SAID ELONGATED CONFINED PATHS INTO SAID CONSTRICTED REGIONS AT SUBSTANTIALLY ELEVATED LEVELS IN SAID SUBDIVIDED ZONES, THE INITIAL CONTACT OF SAID NON-CARBONIZABLE GASEOUS REACTANT, CATALYST AND SAID SECOND REACTANT BEING EFFECTED IN SAID CONSTRICTED REGIONS, EFFECTING A REACTION BETWEEN SAID REACTANTS, WITHDRAWING CONVERTED PRODUCTS AND CONTINUING TO CONTACT ADDITIONAL QUANTITIES OF REACTANTS WITH THE SAME CATALYST PARTICLES WITHOUT SUBSTANTIAL INTERVENING REGENERATION OF THE LATTER UNTIL THE END OF A PROCESSING PERIOD. 